After you have been injured through someone else’s fault, your life can feel turned upside down. You have questions. You have concerns. You may be outright scared. Recovering from an injury and making a claim can be difficult if you don’t have someone on your side. Let one of our experienced attorneys at Hardy, Wolf & Downing guide you through the process and eliminate your fears and concerns.
When you call Hardy Wolf & Downing, you won’t talk to a paralegal or staff person (not that our staff isn’t great!); you’ll talk to an experienced attorney who has dealt with issues like yours many times. You don’t have to be alone in this process. Insurance companies will work hard to pay out as little as possible even though you are legally entitled to more. Their adjusters are given playbooks developed by insurance company lawyers to try and keep you from getting what you are owed.
During the first meeting with Hardy Wolf & Downing, you’ll talk with a lawyer to discuss the facts of your case. It is helpful to bring along any evidence you may have already gathered, such as pictures taken of the scene, medical bills, information about your medical treatments, and other pertinent documents. The lawyer will explain the personal injury lawsuit process to you in detail, answer your questions, and lay out a plan for your claim. They can describe potential outcomes based on the information you’ve given them and their experience with similar cases in the past.
After you’ve met for the initial consultation, an investigation will be the next step. First, your legal team will investigate the facts surrounding your case, for example, by visiting the scene of the accident, reading police reports, speaking with witnesses, and gathering information, such as medical reports. All the data collected during the investigation stage is then used to build a case and protect you. This allows you to focus on what is really important, getting better. Once you’ve recovered or reached a point of maximum medical improvement, your attorney will start the next step of your case, settlement negotiations.
Not every personal injury case requires a lawsuit, but many do. Few lawsuits go to trial, and most settle along the way, but it is critically important to have an attorney who can “go all the way” with you in this process. Going to trial can be an expense that insurance companies and even some other lawyers want to avoid. To negotiate a settlement, you need the ability to call the insurance company’s bluff and file a civil lawsuit. That’s what Hardy Wolf & Downing does.
You may find that this process involves several offers and counter-offers. Most cases settle, but negotiations can sometimes fail if neither party can agree to a settlement amount. Ultimately this is up to you, the client. Nothing is done without your input and consent. When a breakdown in negotiations happens, it’s time to go to trial.
Going to trial means presenting your case to a judge and jury in the courtroom. They will listen to both sides, evaluate the evidence, and then decide an outcome based on the evidence presented. A trial can last a few days, and are sometimes longer based on the number of witnesses, the kind of evidence involved, the issues in dispute, and more. It’s possible to have a case decided in your favor or against you and be awarded more or less than the amount you sought.
Even after a case has moved to the courtroom, there is always the chance for the parties to reach a settlement before the verdict. This is why having an experienced Hardy, Wolf & Downing lawyer with you for this journey is so important. From the initial consultation to the final result, we’ll be there guiding you and fighting for you.
Have you or a loved one experienced a personal injury? Contact us at Hardy, Wolf & Downing today to get started with an initial consultation to go over the specifics of your situation.
State law requires that personal injury claimants be compensated for the losses that occur, such as:
Maine law requires the at-fault party (through their insurance company) to reimburse you for the lost earnings you suffer from an injury. Hardy, Wolf & Downing can prove your losses through a variety of methods. It’s important that you start tracking your lost earnings as soon as possible and call us to help you document everything. Insurance companies almost always push back on these claims, especially when they involve a contractor or small business owner. All the more reason to call Hardy, Wolf & Downing as soon as possible to get legal advice.
We have over 45 years of experience in personal injury cases and understand what it takes to have a successful outcome. Talk to one of our attorneys today to get a free case evaluation. Let us fight for you!
Get the compensation you deserve. Contact Hardy, Wolf & Downing today to get started with an initial free consultation to talk to a lawyer about your situation.
